Tractor draw and hitch



May 24,1938. s'. Asaunv 2,118,544

TRACTOR DRAW AND BITCH Filed April 17. 1936' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 24, 193s. s. ASBURY 2,118,544

TRACTOR DRAW AND HITCH Filed April 17. 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVE/vzwl:

f M@ TTHNEX Patented May 24, 19328.

UNITED 4s 'isrll-:s

PATENT' OFFICE Y ausm 'macros DRAW AND m'ron smiley Asbury, si. rml, Minn. Application April rl, 193s. serial Np. 14,967 s claims. (cl zat-saw My invention relatesto a combination draw bar and hitch device for tractors and involves new and unique draw bar means attachable to implements to be drawn by a tractor and also means combined with said draw bar which cause the tractor pull to be exerted from the front centralpart. The main object is to provide a traction and hitch member so constructed that its point of connection with an implement is at a lower level than the point on the tractor at which the pull is exerted, forwardv of the drive wheels, thereby causing not only stability of the entire tractor but exerting a downward pull which eliminates possible upsetting or tipping of the tractor on hard pulls. 'Iraction on the drive wheels is also increased. Further objects and advantages of my device are herein'- after fully set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of my device as used on a tractor, the tractor shown diagrammatically in longitudinal section, my draw device shown connected to a plow drawn in the usual manner behind a plow.

Fig. 2 is a partly sectional side elevation of a desirable form of implement hitch shown in Fig. 1, in enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is a modication of Fig. 2 but comprising a top view of the modied hitch and Fig. 4 is an edge or side view of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view as on line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a modication of Fig. 2 -and Fig. '1 is a transverse sectional view as on line 1--1 in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal elevation of a tractor of d iierent type than that shown in Fig. 1 and showing my device applied thereto'with modified connection means at the front end of the tractor. 40 Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a structural steel frame of a tractor and certain adjustable draw means of my device.

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional elevation as on line III-I0 i Fig.'9 and including certain modliled chain onnection means to the tractor frame.

Fig. 11 is a sectional detail of the right side frame 36S with a clamp $9 amxed thereto and a portion of the chain 21 extending downwardly therefrom.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters I have illustrated two of the most common types of tractors to either of which my device is applicable. In either form I2 designates the usual iront steering wheels, I3 the drive wheels, Il the radiator, I5 the engine hood, I6 the steering wheel and Il is the drivers seat. In Fig. 1 is illustrated the type of tractor having a structural steel main frame whereas in Fig.v 8 is shown the so-called Fordson type of tractor in which the motor block I8 and transmission and differential housing I9 are integrally constructed and no structural steel main frame is involved.

My device comprises mainly two associated parts hereinafter called the draw member and the hitch member, of which the draw member consists of chain means extending longitudinally under the tractor, the hitch member connected` to the draw member at or just below the rear end of the tractor and is provided with means for connection to an implement. The draw chain is ilexibly supported at a predetermined height n'ear the rear axle by means to be described.

The draw member comprises in part a chain 2li extending centrally and longitudinally under the tractor, its front end securable, as shown in Fig. 1,- to an elongated U-shaped bracket 2l xed to the under side of the tractor main frame centrally and longitudir'lally and at or near the front end of said main frame. From this forward end the chain extends toward the rear of the tractor being flexibly supported at or near the rear axle of the tractor by a vertically adjustable sheave 22 which is located centrally of and below the transmission or rear axle at a predetermined height such that the chain extends rearwardly and downwardly from its front terminal to and on said sheave thence continuing rearwardly and connected to the front end of my implement hitch device.

The above described front connection for the draw chain is for tractors having a structural steel frame. For the type of tractor shown in Fig. 8 said front connection must be modified and may comprise the hitch 2| welded or otherwise secured-to a triangular open frame 2IA, a sloping face of 'which is secured to the inclined under side of the front end of the engine I8, the front end of said frame comprising a vertical plate 2IB contacting the rear face of the Vfront wheel axle I2A. 2IC is a front plate parallel to 2IB at the front side of the axle and connected rigidly with the frame 2IA--2I by bolts 23. Thus the. strain of chain 20 pulling at 2I is taken by the bracket as a whole and transmitted to the axle and the front end of the cast engine block I8. i

The implement hitch member of my improved tractor hitch and draw device is an elongated telescopic device the main body of which may comprise two tubular members, 2l and 2l, slidable one within the other, 2l being the front member and 2i the inner and rear member. Ihesetwomaybeodroimdtubingasshownin l'igs. land2,squaretuhingasinl'igs.6and7,or they may comprise a forward channel shaped member 20C in which is adiustably retained a iiat metal bar member 29C (see liga. 3, 4, and 5) In either type there isa row of apertures in each of the two members, identically spaced, and therefore enabling an operator to overlap the two members as desired and bolt them together as with bolts 21.

In all formsv of the hitch member the front terminus of its part 24 may be bifurcated and bored for a normally vertical bolt 2l on which any link of the chain 2l may be engaged, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 6. The rear end oi' member 2l of the hitch device may be provided with a hook 29 or the like for readily attaching it to any implement to be drawn by the tractor. In ll'ig. l the hook 2l ls shown connected to a plow Il whereas in Figs. 2, 3, and 6, IIA dignates any implement.

Two types of preferred construction of hitch members are shown in Pigs. 3 to 'l inclusive. The hat bar and channel type shown in Figs. 9, 4, and involves besid the construction previously described, a T-head rear end part of member "C designated 26T in which is provided a row of holes Il in any one or more of which connection may be made with an implement IIA. Obviously in the form of hitch Just described the implement connection is in line with the draw chain connection at 2l and this nat type of hitch automatically lines up with the draw chain when pull is exerted and there is no tilting tendency.

When the hitch member is disconnected it may be suspended under the seat I1 by any suitable means preferably in a loop 32 of wire or cable (see Fig. l).

In the installation of my device on a tractor the sheave 22 must be set at an elevation higher than the hitch connection with the implement but lower than the draw connection at the front of the tractor. Therefore when the tractor is pulling an implement the taut draw member will bear down on the sheave 22 and the front part of the tractor simultaneously. I'he greater the pull the greater will be the downward pressure at 2|-22 providing better traction for the drive wheels I3 and simultaneously pressing the steering wheels downwardly for better ground contact.

A feature of my invention is the positive yet transversely ilexible draw-bar contact and guide at 22 when the tractor is in action. 'Ihe sheave 22 is retained in an upright block I3 with an integral iiat bar 39A extending upwardly, with a row of apertures Il. Said bar is projectible upwardly through a horizontal plate Il preferably suspended centrally between the parallel side bars S of the tractor main frame il as by means of chains 81 (see Pigs. 8, 9, 19, and 11). Said chains 31 may have their outer ends secured in any suitable manner to the frame, as to bolts Il of a U-clamp 39 straddling the frame at predetermined location such that the plate 2l is located to suit, relative to the rear end of the tractor. Obviously the clamps Il are adjustable to any desired position on the main frame to locate the sheave as may be required. In Fig. l0

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thenispensionchainsllareshownwiththeir outer `ends retained in eyebolts 4l. The said bolts may be in a nxed location of frame IOS or may be one of a pair or more bolts which retain the stirrup casting 4I, a pair of such castings holdingtheendsofacroasframememberc.

In I'ig. 9 the stirrups Il are of clamplike form with outward flanges to engage one above and one below the corresponding flanges of the main frame side bars IIS and exteriorly of said ilanges to be clamped thereon each by a vertical bolt I2. 'Ihe cable retaining clamps Il are placed directly -forward of said stirrups. Obviously this construction allows for locating the frame bars C in any desired location along the rear part of the main frame-and the guide suspension chains 31 likewise.

vFurther, in Fig. 9, the front end of the chain 2l is not connected to a rigid hitch, but is connected centrally of and under the main frame to a ring Il from which extend upwardly to both sides a pair oi' suspension chains 4l corresponding to vchains 31 and each connected to a frame clamp and bolt "-39 nxed adjustably on the front parts of the main frame side members 36S.

In this modified construction, designed particularly for tractors with structural steel frames, the draw chain extends rearwardly centrally of and under the frame over the sheave 22 thence to the front end of the hitch member where any one of its links is engaged on the front pin 2l of the hitch member. Any surplus of chain rearward of the link connected at 2l is merely brought forward and its free end, provided with a hook u', engaged on the chain forward of the sheave. as clearly shown in Fig. 9. Thus the chain will not drag on the ground.

In Figs. 9 and 10, l. is a pin insertible in any of the apertures u of the sheave block, atop of plate 3l, to retain the sheave at any desired height.

In Fig. 9, 36C is a forward transverse frame bar corresponding to the rear adjustable frame bar 28C. Similar stirrups Il and chain holding means ll are used. Thus both the cross frame members are adjustable longitudinally of the frame and the draw chain suspension chains il-M are located accordingly.

In the form of my device adaptable for tractors without a structurel steel frame (see Fig. 8) the suspension chains 31 may have their outer and upper ends connected each directly in an eye or loop E of a bracket 45 secured one to each side of the transmission housing II.

In the use of my device it will now be readily understood that in any of its forms, as illustrated, the pull of the tractor on an implement is from the front central part of the tractor and from a point higher than the point of connection to the implement. Intermediate said points the vertically adjustable sheave 22 (or equivalent thereof) is ilxed at a height to cause downward pressure on the taut draw member. The exibility of the combined draw and hitch parts will be readily seen. For example, if on a curve or on uneven ground, the tractor and implement do not line up lthe chain suspension means will compensate therefor and eliminate any undue side or vertical strains on the tractor, yet maintaining a taut draw member which will keep the implement in correct position relative to the tractor.

Modifications in details of the structure may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of my invention. For example, I may use an open loop in place of the sheave 2l and in which the draw chain may rest and press downwardly on a. xed, preferably flanged guide (not shown). As to the hitch members I prefer to use the flat type shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, but in any type of my hitches one object of maldng itextensible is to attain proper connection with various kinds of implements far enough rearwardly for ample clearance and as may be re quired for different kinds of implements.

I claim:

l. A draw and hitch device for'tractors comprising a exible draw member extending length- Wise under the tractor frame, the front end thereof secured near the central front part of the said tractor frame, means for exibly supporting said draw member below and in proximity to the rear of the tractor frame at an elevation lower than the front connection described, said flexible support comprising a sheave suspended centrally of the member, a sheave block with a stem extending vertically, a transverse block through which said stem extends, means for adjusting said sheave block vertically to desired level, and ilexible means such as` chains connected to said transverse block and extending tb opposite side parts of the tractor frame.

2. The structure specified in \claim 1, and means for adjusting said sheave suspension means longitudinally o f the tractor frame.`

3. A tractor draw and hitch device for tractors having an elongated structural main frame, said tractor draw comprising a length of chain extending longitudinally under the frame, means adjacent ythe front end of the frame adjustable longitudinally thereof and supporting the front end of said draw member, iiexible, transversely disposed means for supporting the draw member in vicinity of the rear end of the tractor frame, a draw support comprising in part a. central draw member supporting sheave adjustable vertically to engage and support the draw member at predetermined level, and a suitable implement hitch securable to said draw member rearward of the transverse support.

STANLEY ASBURY. 

